In this undated publicity image released by HBO, Steve Buscemi is shown in a scene from, "Boardwalk Empire." The program was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best television series, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. The Golden Globe awards will air on Jan. 16 on NBC. less

In this undated publicity image released by HBO, Steve Buscemi is shown in a scene from, "Boardwalk Empire." The program was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best television series, Tuesday, Dec. 14, ... more

Jon Hamm received his fourth lead acting bid for Mad Men, and this time the competitor who denied him the award three times before isn t in the category. Bryan Cranston and Breaking Bad weren t eligible for this year s awards because the series took a break between seasons.

Jon Hamm received his fourth lead acting bid for Mad Men, and this time the competitor who denied him the award three times before isn t in the category. Bryan Cranston and Breaking Bad weren t eligible for

Charles Barkley famously made his position known in a 1993 Nike commercial that ended with him declaring, "Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids."

Fair enough. Indeed, parents should shoulder that responsibility.

But what about the actions of characters on TV?

This isn't the place to debate the moral implications of television, but just for fun - and putting kids aside - are there any characters one could point to and say, "Now that's a decent way for a person to act at work or at home or when out with friends"?

The answer is no, not a lot.

Here's a quick ranking of some male TV characters on a scale of zero - a Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation) level of purity - to 10 - J.R. Ewing bad.

In short: The no-good raging alcoholic and absentee father is racist, jobless and forever trying to run a scam on anyone in a position of weakness. He has basically abandoned his six kids, which may be the best thing he's done for them.

Latest act of depravity: Frank has lost his youngest son, Liam, in a bar bet involving a Taser and preyed upon a lonely dying woman in order to steal her city pension. It's not called Shameless for nothing.

In short: Supremely smug bad-boy writer and mostly disappointing father who, despite treating his body like a combination ashtray/storm drain, always attracts the smartest, most beautiful woman in the room.He can't seem to shake his feelings for his ex-wife (true love?) but also can't deny himself his "wants" long enough to fulfill the "needs" in his life. All his troubles seem to start and stop with Los Angeles, where, apparently, all problems are born of and resolved by sex.

Latest act of depravity: Things are pretty tame so far this season. Hank's sort of gotten involved with the girlfriend of rapper-turned-actor Samurai Apocalypse. Meanwhile, he must contend with some reaping of what he's sown when daughter Becca introduces her new boyfriend, a guy who is the spitting image of a young Hank.

Signs of improvement: More starts and stops than L.A.'s 110 at rush hour. Mostly stops.

In short: Unsuspecting but brutal political boss in Atlantic City during Prohibition. Extremely calculating, Nucky is the type who will allow himself to be pushed only so far before striking back. Technically, Nucky should be rated below Hank Moody and Frank Gallagher because he has been responsible - directly or indirectly - for a number of deaths. But he's just more likable. Viewers care what happens to him.

Latest act of depravity: In the finale of season two, Nucky shot his former protégé, Jimmy, in the head after Jimmy challenged Nucky for control of the bootlegging racket.

Signs of improvement: Through most of season two, he seemed to be either going good or going soft, depending on how you looked at it. Turns out he was just lying low, playing rope-a-dope with his enemies.

In short: Chemistry teacher learns he has terminal lung cancer and decides to put his knowledge to work by cooking and selling New Mexico's finest crystal meth in order to build a nest egg for his family after his death. The mild-mannered Walter is schooled in the eat-or-be-eaten ways of the world of drug-dealing, and adapts quickly. Over four seasons he has strangled (with a bike lock), poisoned (with mustard gas), shot and run over a number of people, mostly bad.

Latest act of depravity: At the end of season four, Walter takes out his main competition and nemesis, Gus Fring, by persuading Gus' longtime enemy Hector Salamanca to strap a bomb to his own wheelchair. Hector commits suicide and takes out Gus in the explosion.

Signs of improvement: Progressively worse. At this pace he'll be the Southwest's equivalent of The Usual Suspects' Keyser Soze by series' end.

In short: Who knew an existential crisis could be this much fun? TV's most stylish ad man has made everyone long just a little for the days when it was OK to enjoy a bourbon in the office. But Don's hard living, deceit and womanizing haven't gone unpunished. As a divorced dad, this workaholic sees even less of his kids than he did when he was married. But standing at an important cultural crossroads, Don seems willing to take the progressive path and embrace the future and its unstoppable change. His what's-so-special-about-me? attitude helps him see those around him more clearly.

Latest act of depravity: Over the course of season four, it looked like Don had a good thing going with Faye, a consumer-research consultant working with Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. She seemed like a great fit for him. However, in the season finale, he dropped Faye like a used Kleenex and proposed to his secretary, Megan, who is a better fit for his kids - and a lot like ex-wife Betty.

Signs of improvement: Definitely improving … for now. Wait and see if he resumes his former ways once things become routine with Megan.

In short: Deputy U.S. marshal thought he'd escaped his Kentucky past for good, only to be busted back to the Bluegrass State after playing too fast and loose in Miami. Raylan is more of a traditional white-hat good guy - literally and figuratively. He's a quick-draw artist who trusts and acts on his instincts, which are rarely wrong. He has principles but we'll refer to these as his personal code because it sounds cooler. It's true Raylan has killed many, but they all deserved it. After all, the name of the series isJustified.

Latest act of depravity: After his return to Lexington, Raylan eventually picked back up with his ex-wife, Winona, who was married at the time. This season we see Raylan being a Boy Scout as he recovers from being shot and is expecting a baby with Winona.

In short: The Earl of Grantham sees life in black and white as dictated by British law and tradition such as it was in the early 20th century. His mantra: Everyone has a part to play, and he should be allowed to play it. Which is swell for those satisfied with their position in life but not so great for those who aspire to something else. The earl is a good man and a fair boss who looks out for, stands up for and shows compassion toward his staff.

Latest act of depravity: He was reluctant to turn the very roomy Downton into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers and acted like a brat when a Ping-Pong table was set up in his library, which is doubling as a rec room.

Signs of improvement: Robert's behavior may be heading in the wrong direction. He is living in a time when the societal winds are changing, and he's a man who doesn't care for change. The post-World War I world will see a flattening of the class structure, and life at Downton inevitably will be affected.